{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}

Wild ponies cause £1,200 worth of damage by licking car


  • Wild ponies in Dartmoor have reportedly caused £1,200 worth of damage to a car — by licking its paintwork.

    The unsuspecting driver parked his car in Dartmoor National Park to embark on a hike around the moors.

    When he returned to the car park later that day he found that 12 ponies were licking the vehicle.

    News of the ponies’ antics has caused a stir on Twitter.

    “Having just bought a new car and about to move to Devon for a while, I’ll make sure my car tastes yuck,” said Malcolm Oakley.

    “There are ponies on Dartmoor that actually eat cars,” added another user.

    It seems the ponies’ behaviour was not a one off, as Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team said that two of their volunteer’s cars has been “chewed” by ponies.

    The group’s rescue vehicle Dart52 “had also been a victim”.

    Insurance claims

    The bizarre incident came to light through analysis of Saga car insurance claims.

    The ponies were among other animals that caused £1 million of damage to vehicles last year.

    Saga handled around 500 car insurance claims involving animals.

    Earlier this year a cow caused £800 worth of damage to a parked vehicle, also insured by Saga, after breaking loose at a cattle show.

    Another Saga customer was on his way to a boat yard when they spotted a low flying duck. The driver swerved to miss the duck and drove into a stone bridge, causing more than £1,500 worth of damage.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    You may like...